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A Boeing 777 flying from Beijing to London Heathrow (flight BA38) carried an emergency landing today, at 12:42 (UK time) in London Heathrow. It is not clear now if the landing gear collapsed after landing or if it was not extended at all. The plane touched-down in the grass before the runway and came to rest on its belly at the very begin of the runway.

Image from BBC report

The passengers have been evacuated using the slides. First report tell about 3 injured persons only !
UPDATE: 6 minor injured, 136 passengers 16 crew.

It is not clear either if the plane caught fire or not, but it has been reported that firebrigade sprayed it with foam. One of the wings is badly damaged according to pictures.

As always in such circumstances my thoughts go to the passengers, crew members and their relatives. British Airways opened an helpline for family and friends: 0800 389 4193. Please do not use it if you’re not directly concerned - some people really DO NEED this line !

Some witnesses said that the landing gear was not extended. The UK Prime Minister’s plane was about to depart, and its captain qualified the incident as “fairly significant”.

It is way too early to draw any conclusion - even if media will try to. I will update when additional information will be available.

Anouncement on Heathrow BAA’s website:  “We can confirm that a BA038 flight arriving from Beijing carried out an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport today at 12.42. All passengers have been evacuated and emergency services were at the scene immediately. The airport’s southern runway is currently closed, but the northern runway is still in operation. British Airways has issued a helpline for anybody concerned about family and friends: 0800 389 4193.”

British airways website confirms the information: “A British Airways Boeing 777 operating as flight BA038 from Beijing to Heathrow has been involved in an incident at Heathrow today. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport.”

The BBC published a first report, including a picture of the aircraft. Reuters published a report including photo and video.

It is hard to judge, and I’m by far not an expert, but the video suggests that he touched down in the grass before the runway, which corresopnds to what witnesses reported: “a very low approach”. The landing gear could have been taken away during the off-runway roll.

Once again all what you will hear now is speculation. The investigations are already ongoing and will establish the facts.

If you planned to leave Heathrow today, note that all short haul flights from terminal 4 have been cancelled.

Check our “Air accidents” category for more general information and reports from other cases. You can also have a look at information about evacuation standards.

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